NRL Early Mail Round 9: Predicted team changes
KFC SuperCoaches have been rocked by injuries to popular players Kalyn Ponga and Zac Lomax, while an 18-year-old rookie with just just three first grade games to his name has bumped Val Holmes to the wing.
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North Queensland will start teen sensation Hamiso Tabuai-Fidow at fullback over star recruit Valentine Holmes in Thursday night’s clash with the Roosters.
On the back of last week’s 42-2 loss to Parramatta, coach Paul Green has switched Holmes to the wing in favour of Tabuai-Fidow, an 18-year old rookie with three first grade matches to his name.
Holmes made his return from injury against the Eels after two weeks on the sidelines. Tabuai-Fidow filled in at fullback for both matches, including the 32-20 win over Newcastle in Round 7.
Another former St George Illawarra off-cut could be set for a shock NRL call up at a rival club this week.
Following Jai Field’s surprise promotion at Parramatta to replace the injured Mitchell Moses last week, now Steven Marsters is in line to make his top grade debut for South Sydney.
Marsters, 20, is a cousin of New Zealand international Esan.
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Marsters is in a shootout with Corey Allen for a spot on the bench when the Rabbitohs take on the Wests Tigers this Friday night.
It comes in the wake of Braidon Burns’ season-ending injury, after the luckless centre suffered a dislocated kneecap in the win over Canterbury on Sunday night.
James Roberts was actually called into the starting team against the Bulldogs ahead of Burns but still looks a fair way off full match fitness after only recently returning from a stint in rehab.
With Burns out of action, coach Wayne Bennett will have to select another outside back on the bench to help cover Roberts against the Tigers.
Former Brisbane Bronco Allen might have his nose just in front after being named on the extended bench last week.
But Marsters is a really promising talent who joined the Rabbitohs this year from the Dragons and has been killing it at training.
Marsters was part of the St George Illawarra junior development system and played New Zealand under 18s and Junior Kiwis.
Bennett won’t name his team until Tuesday but whoever gets the call up might get to stay for the long term given Burns’ unlucky setback is expected to end his season.
— Paul Crawley
Star Canterbury recruit Luke Thompson will be pitched into the Bulldogs starting side for his NRL debut.
Thompson, who joined the Bulldogs from St Helens in June, will pack down at lock for Canterbury’s clash with the Broncos on Saturday night.
The English international is counted as one of the best forwards in the world and has been charged with resurrecting the Bulldogs ailing NRL season.
The 25-year olds inclusion comes just at the right time for Canterbury, who lost Adam Elliott for the season with a shoulder injury
—Nick Campton
In other news:
* KFC SuperCoaches are again reaching for the trade button with two of the most popular players in the game in doubt for the upcoming round. Kalyn Ponga (concussion) and Zac Lomax (knee) are both racing the clock after picking up injuries over the weekend. Both sit in the top 10 most popular KFC SuperCoach players at over 37 per cent ownership.
* Popular cheapie Hamiso Tabuai-Fidow is in line for a recall following backline injury dramas at the Cowboys.
* The Roosters face losing four stars in Daniel Tupou (ankle), Lindsay Collins, Boyd Cordner and Jared Waerea-Hargreaves (all concussion).
* Anthony Milford and Brodie Croft are both under immense pressure to hold their halves spots at the Broncos.
* The likes of Canberra’s Sia Soliola (broken jaw), Newcastle’s Edrick Lee (arm) and Canterbury’s Adam Elliott (shoulder) are set to be ruled out long-term.
CASUALTY WARD: Late drama as three players downed long-term
COWBOYS V ROOSTERS
Thursday 9 July, Queensland Country Bank Stadium, 7.50pm
Cowboys: Have Justin O’Neill in some doubt after he failed to finish game with Hamiso Tabuai-Fidow an option to come back into the side if O’Neill is ruled out. Coen Hess suffered a head knock but played the game out on the weekend. He will be monitored but should be OK. Mitch Dunn returned to training last week after recovering from a groin injury and could come back onto the right edge to replace Shane Wright. Tom Gilbert becomes eligible for selection after missing two games due to suspension. John Asiata is nearing a return from knee injury and could be named on extended bench.
Roosters: Will be without Daniel Tupou after he suffered a syndesmosis injury last week which will see Ryan Hall recalled on the right wing, which could see Brett Morris switch to the left wing to partner twin Josh Morris. Lindsay Collins, Boyd Cordner and Jared Waerea-Hargreaves all failed to finish the Storm game due to concussion and all are in serious doubt. Josh Morris (back), Kyle Flanagan (knock), Jake Friend (shoulder) and Nat Butcher (ribs) should all overcome minor injuries to play. Rookies Freddy Lussick and Daniel Fifita are options to come into the team should Collins, Cordner or Waerea-Hargreaves be ruled out.
TITANS V WARRIORS
Friday 10 July, Cbus Super Stadium, 6pm
Titans: Hit hard again by injuries with both Kevin Proctor (bicep) and Phillip Sami (shoulder) suffering injuries at training last Wednesday which ruled them out of the game on the weekend and will also keep them out this week. Brian Kelly was also ruled out late due to failing to overcome a quad injury suffered in the Broncos game and could come back into the side if fit. Mitch Rein failed to finish the Sharks game on the weekend due to a knee injury which is expected to keep him out for a number of weeks, with either Erin Clark or Nathan Peats options to start at hooker. Tanah Boyd (shoulder) and Sam Lisone (HIA) are both in some doubt due to injuries suffered on the weekend. Beau Fermor is expected to retain the left edge 2RF position after having a good game on debut.
Warriors: Welcome back Roger Tuivasa-Sheck after he missed the Broncos game on the weekend due to suspension. This will see Peta Hiku move back to left centre and Gerard Beale drop out of the 17. Kodi Nikorima suffered a concussion early in the game on the weekend, failed game day HIA and will have to pass required protocols to play. Patrick Herbert (knock), Wayde Egan (ankle), Jack Murchie (groin) and Chanel Harris-Tevita (knock) are all in some doubt. Jazz Tevaga is close to returning after suffering a knee injury at training during the COVID-19 enforced break. Lachlan Burr will need clearance from an independent Doctor before being eligible for selection.
RABBITOHS V TIGERS
Friday 10 July, Bankwest Stadium, 7.55pm
Rabbitohs: Come into this game off a five-day turnaround which normally means a light week on the training paddock. Braidon Burns will be missing after suffering a dislocated patella in the Bulldogs game, which will keep him out long-term. Bailey Sironen could return after being a late withdrawal on the weekend due to a back injury. Latrell Mitchell had his left hamstring strapped in the game on the weekend so is carrying a niggle. Jaydn Su’A could be in some trouble from the judiciary after shoulder charge during the game.
Wayne Bennett confirms dislocated kneecap for Braidon Burns, fears he is out for the season. Is a real risk considering traumatic injury mechanism. Important to note; “dislocated kneecap†and “dislocated knee†are 2 very different injuries/prognoses. Important to use correct term pic.twitter.com/gE2GugTrab
— NRL PHYSIO (@nrlphysio) July 5, 2020
Tigers: Will be without Joey Leilua after he was charged with grade three dangerous contact for his high shot on Dylan Edwards. He took the early guilty plea and will miss four games which will see Michael Chee-Kam come in at right centre. Luciano Leilua and Sam McIntyre both failed to finish the game on the weekend due to HIAs, both will be monitored and are in some doubt. Harry Grant (back), Moses Mbye (knee), Tommy Talau (hamstring), Adam Doueihi (head knock) and Matt Eisenhuth (neck) all suffered knocks during the game but should all be fit to be named.
âš ï¸ TWAL UPDATE âš ï¸
— NRL PHYSIO (@nrlphysio) July 7, 2020
Alex Twal out of knee brace as he continues recovery from a (likely grade 2) MCL sprain. Most common return to play time = 4 weeks, out of brace 2 weeks post injury makes this achievable.
Means a possible return in Round 10 for Twal. pic.twitter.com/uqOxAJlLVL
SHARKS V PANTHERS
Saturday 11 July, Netstrata Jubilee Stadium, 3pm
Sharks: Return to their home ground this year in Netstrata Jubilee Stadium and will be without Matt Moylan after he suffered a recurrence of a hamstring injury. He will miss 4-6 weeks. Coach John Morris has options of either Will Kennedy coming back at fullback but I think he will go with moving Josh Dugan to fullback with Bryson Goodwin moving to left centre and Nene Macdonald coming onto the left wing. Sione Katoa suffered an ankle injury in the final minutes of the game on the weekend and could be in some doubt. Ronaldo Mulitalo has resumed running as he continues rehab from a knee injury and could come into contention.
Panthers: Will are without Brian To’o for up to two months after he limped off in the Tigers game on the weekend due to an ankle injury and if Dean Whare cannot overcome a toe injury which ruled him out on the weekend we could see debutante in Charlie Staines with Malakai Watene-Zelezniak another option. Brent Naden (shoulder) and Dylan Edwards (ankle) both suffered minor injuries and will need to be checked but should be OK to be named.
BRONCOS V BULLDOGS
Saturday 11 July, Suncorp Stadium, 5.30pm
Broncos: May be at rock bottom but they could see the return of some cavalry this week with Jake Turpin (broken leg), Kotoni Staggs (hamstring), David Fifita (knee) and Matt Lodge (knee) all looking to prove fitness. Isaac Luke will be monitored, he passed game day HIA after suffering what looked to be a nasty head knock. Tom Dearden will come into the halves with either Brodie Croft or Anthony Milford set to be dropped.
Bulldogs: Adam Elliot suffered a double injury blow on the weekend with a left knee injury in opening minutes, which was strapped up at halftime and he played on, only to suffer a shoulder dislocation in the final minutes. Expect him to be ruled out which will allow new recruit Luke Thompson to make his club debut from bench with Aiden Tolman moving to lock and Renouf To’omaga starting at prop. Jake Averillo should return after missing the Rabbitohs game due to concussion and replace Christian Crichton with Marcelo Montoya moving to right wing. Sauaso Sue passed game day HIA but will be monitored.
Confirmation of a shoulder injury for Adam Elliott, likely dislocation by video. Scans to come, general treatment guide:
— NRL PHYSIO (@nrlphysio) July 5, 2020
Minimal damage/shoulder stable - rehab & 4-6 weeks
Significant damage/shoulder unstable - reconstruction surgery & 3-6 months pic.twitter.com/571s7EmOFU
RAIDERS V STORM
Saturday 11 July, GIO Stadium, 7.35pm
Raiders: Raiders middle forwards have been dealt massive blow losing both starting props from the weekend with Iosia Soliola set to be ruled out for an extended period due to a nasty facial injury while Emre Guler suffered an ankle injury in the second half. Dunamis Lui is set to be recalled with either rookie 2RF Kai O’Donnell or Tom Starling coming onto the bench. Elliot Whitehead is in some doubt after he suffered a knee injury in the first half but played on until suffering some friendly fire from a teammate with a poke to eye. He left for a HIA which he passed and returned to the field late in the game. Jordan Rapana missed the game on the weekend due to a calf injury but could come back in contention if he can prove fitness.
An injury-ravaged Raiders are considering making a mid-season signing to cover for the loss of veteran forward Sia Soliola. https://t.co/Yy0RHQ0rjG pic.twitter.com/RcyjtdzxNi
— Telegraph Sport (@telegraph_sport) July 4, 2020
Storm: Came through the epic Roosters with a number of players with bumps and bruises but will be helped with a nine-day turnaround. Felise Kaufusi (HIA), Christian Welch (head cut), Justin Olam (calf), Suliasi Vunivalu (hamstring) and Jahrome Hughes (eye) will all be monitored with the main concern being with Vunivalu. Cameron Smith is expected to continue at five-eighth with Cameron Munster still out and Brandon Smith starting at hooker with Ryley Jacks on bench.
KNIGHTS V EELS
Sunday 12 July, Central Coast Stadium, 4.05pm
Knights: Will be without Edrick Lee after he suffered a suspected broken arm in the opening minutes of the Manly game on Sunday which could allow coach Adam O’Brien to give Tautau Moga an opportunity on the left wing after he was 18th man the last two weeks. Kalyn Ponga and Sione Mata’utia both failed to finish the game on the weekend due to HIA and will need to pass required protocols to play. Tim Glasby returns after missing the game due to concussion. Aiden Guerra (wrist), Mitchell Pearce (knee) and Herman Ese’ese (knock) will need to be checked after picking up injuries on the weekend. Connor Watson is still a week or two away from returning from an ankle injury.
Eels: Welcome back Nathan Brown after he missed the last two games due to suspension. He will start at lock with Marata Niukore dropping back to the bench and David Gower out of the 17. Michael Jennings failed to finish the game on the weekend after picking up a minor injury but should be named with no other changes expected.
DRAGONS V SEA EAGLES
Sunday 12 July, Netstrata Jubilee Stadium, 6.30pm
Dragons: Return home to Netstrata Jubilee Stadium and have Zac Lomax in doubt after he suffered a knee injury on Friday. But he did play the game out which is a good sign. It will come down to if he sustained any structural damage to the knee but hopefully it was only a cork. Coach Paul McGregor also could make changes in the halves with Tristan Sailor an option to replace either Adam Clune or Corey Norman.
Sea Eagles: Addin Fonua-Blake is facing a 2-3 week ban after being sent off for dissent after the final siren on Sunday. Lachlan Croker didn’t have the best game on the weekend with Josh Schuster and Cade Cust options to replace him at five-eighth. Corey Waddell has missed the last few games due to a shoulder injury and could come into contention if fit. Curtis Sironen (knee), Joel Thompson (HIA) Cade Cust (cork) and Martin Taupau (knock) should all be right to go.